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Siege of Port Hudson | HearLore
— Ch. 1 · Strategic Context And Politics —
Siege of Port Hudson.
~16 min read · Ch. 1 of 7
The American Civil War began in April 1861, and both the Union and Confederacy made controlling the Mississippi River a major part of their strategy. The South wanted to keep using the river to transport needed supplies like salt, cattle, and horses from the Trans-Mississippi West. Men and munitions flowed eastward along this same waterway. The stretch including the mouth of the Red River was particularly important to the Confederate cause. The North aimed to stop this supply route and drive a wedge that would divide Confederate states and territories. In the spring and early summer of 1862, the Union advanced control of the Mississippi from both north and south. A fleet commanded by Flag Officer David G. Farragut fought through Confederate fortifications at Forts Jackson and St. Philip, resulting in the capture of New Orleans. Another Union fleet under Charles H. Davis occupied Memphis after defeating Confederate riverine forces. To secure the middle section of the river, the South fortified positions at Vicksburg and Port Hudson. Political momentum behind Union actions against Port Hudson came from elections held in November 1862. The Republican base, centered in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, had been shaken by embarrassing Democratic victories. Indiana Governor Oliver P. Morton sent Lincoln a dramatic letter claiming that "The fate of the North-West is trembling in the balance." He implied that unless independent trade for Union states along the Ohio River was restored, further breakup of the Union was possible. Morton believed these states were in danger of breaking away from the Northeast to join the Confederacy. Southern areas of these states had been settled by people who maintained identification with their region and culture. This threat galvanized the Lincoln administration into action. Major General Nathanial Banks was diverted from a possible expedition to Texas and given Benjamin Butler's command of the Department of the Gulf. Henry Wager Halleck told Banks that President Lincoln regarded opening the Mississippi as the first and most important operation. On the 4th of December 1862, Banks and his expedition put to sea for New Orleans.
Fortification Development
Port Hudson sat on an bluff on the east bank above a hairpin turn in the Mississippi River upriver from Baton Rouge. Hills and ridges in the area represented extremely rough terrain, a maze of deep, thickly forested ravines, swamps, and cane brakes creating a natural fortress. The town was a port for shipping cotton and sugar downriver from the surrounding area. Despite its importance, the city had only a few buildings and 200 people at the start of the war. In 1862, a railroad was constructed to Clinton, located to the northeast. The entire length of the Port Hudson and Clinton railroad was inadequate for hauling heavy guns and ammunition. It did not connect with other railroads linking Louisiana to Camp Moore, the main mustering point for Confederate forces. Initial plans for fortifications were drawn up with assistance from Captain James Nocquet, chief engineer for General Breckinridge. Three different layouts for earthworks were considered: a central fort mounting cannon supported by angled outworks, a line of lunettes arranged along a line, and a continuous ring of redoubts, trenches, and parapets surrounding the entire position. The first option was rejected for concentrating armament into too small a target. The third option was rejected because building such extensive works would have required 35,000 men and 70 pieces of artillery. The line of lunettes was determined to be the best plan for defense. Construction started on a line of seven fronting the river. General Breckinridge left on August 18, leaving only 1,500 men to work on fortifications under Ruggles's command. Ruggles mounted a forty-two-pounder smoothbore cannon immediately, manned by former sailors of the CSS Arkansas. Two thirty-two-pounders were added shortly after from an abandoned wreck. Union Navy assesses defenses began when the improvised gunboat USS Anglo-American passed Port Hudson moving upriver on the 7th of September 1862. Porter reported 35 to 40 heavy guns at Port Hudson, a considerable exaggeration. Beall slowly expanded fortifications during lulls in action. Confederate President Jefferson Davis realized connecting the railway to Jackson would be invaluable but could not overcome shortages of iron and transport. Beall asked Davis to impose martial law to commandeer more workers, but Davis denied this request.
Naval Assaults And Failures
Farragut had gathered his attack force by the 13th of March 1863. This fleet consisted of four principal warships and three gunboats. The principal warships included sloops-of-war and steam paddle frigate Mississippi. Gunboats included additional vessels. Farragut commanded from his flagship Hartford. The first six vessels were lashed together in an attack column of pairs. He cleared ships for action, whitewashed gun decks to improve visibility, and brought mortar boats for support. Anchor chains were lashed to sides as improvised armor. The Confederate fortress was ready for attack, having noticed increased naval activity downriver. Sixteen mortar schooners covered the advance near Prophets Island, three miles downriver from Port Hudson. Confederates had over twenty cannon covering the river arranged in eleven batteries of artillery. Lieutenant Colonel Marshall J. Smith commanded these heavy guns. Battery Number Seven used heated shot particularly effective against wooden warships. Piles of pine wood were prepared to ignite and illuminate the river for night action. The first rocket warning was fired at 11:20 pm on the 14th of March 1863. An eight-inch smoothbore shell from Battery 9 hit Albatross immediately. Union fleet advanced steadily upriver, beginning broadsides as soon as their guns bore on lower Confederate batteries. Heavy Confederate guns mounted over walls of seven lunettes on crest of bluffs had difficulty aiming at ships hugging shorelines. Coarse black powder produced dense clouds of white smoke when fired. Combined with smoke from pine fires and darkness, the river valley became rapidly obscured. Hartford and Albatross ran aground on eastern shore beneath Rebel batteries. Despite remaining aground for ten minutes, lead ships passed last Confederate gun position by 12:15 am. Genesee and Richmond followed next. A trick of wind cleared smoke momentarily between batteries and ships. Richmond was hammered by Rebel shot and shell. A 6.4-inch solid conical shot tore through starboard side, smashing both boiler safety valves. This cut power to engines and filled ship with escaping steam. Monongahela and Kineo ran aground on western shore, also blinded by smoke. Mississippi was last in line and ran aground on western shore. Large steam paddle frigate was irresistible target, riddled with shot, shell, and hot shot. Captain Smith ordered her abandoned as flames endangered magazine. Garrison cheered loudly as ship went up in flames. At 5:05 am Mississippi disappeared in terrific explosion seen nearly 80 miles downriver. Union fleet sustained seventy-eight killed or missing and thirty-five wounded compared to three enlisted men killed and three officers plus nineteen men wounded for Confederates.
Infantry Assaults Of May
Banks set up headquarters at Riley's plantation and planned attacks with staff and division commanders. Four different assault groups were organized under commands of generals Godfrey Weitzel, Cuvier Grover, Christopher C. Augur, and Thomas W. Sherman. Banks did not choose specific time for intended simultaneous assault, ordering commanders to commence at earliest hour practicable. Effect broke attack into pieces. Generals Weitzel and Grover attacked north and northeast sides at dawn. Generals Augur and Sherman attacked east and southeast sides at noon. Naval bombardment began night before attack, 13-inch mortars firing most evening. Army land batteries fired hour bombardment after 5:30 am. Weitzel's two divisions began attack at 6 am on north, advancing through densely forested ravines bordering valley of Little Sandy Creek. Valley led assault into salient formed by fortified ridge known as bull pen where defenders slaughtered cattle. Lunette on ridge nicknamed Fort Desperate had been hastily improvised to protect fort's grain mill. At end of this ravine between two was hill described as commissary hill with artillery battery mounted on it. Union troops caught in crossfire from three positions, held in place by dense vegetation and obstacles placed by rebel troops that halted advance. Combination of rugged terrain, crossfire from three sides, and rebel sharpshooters inflicted many casualties. Fearing's brigade advanced west of bull pen. These soldiers caught between bull pen reinforced with 14th, 18th, and 23rd Arkansas regiments from east side and western fortified ridge manned by Lieutenant Colonel M. B. Locke's Alabama troops. Steep sided ravines, dense vegetation, and rebel crossfire from ridge top trenches halted Union advance. Premature shell bursts from supporting artillery of 1st Maine Battery caused Union casualties. Brigadier General William Dwight ordered 1st and 3rd Louisiana Native Guard forward into attack at 10 am. These troops not intended to take part due to general prejudice against African-American troops. Dwight determined to break through Confederate fortifications however, committed them to attack. Since deployed as pioneers working on pontoon bridge over Big Sandy Creek near junction with Mississippi, these troops were in worst possible position for attack. Guard first had to advance over pontoon bridge along Telegraph Road with fortified ridge left manned by William B. Shelby's 39th Mississippi troops supported by light artillery battery. Heavy crossfire from rifles, field artillery, and heavy coast guns met advancing Louisiana Native Guards. Captain Andre Cailloux led Guard regiments forward until killed by artillery fire. Taking heavy losses, attackers forced to retreat to avoid annihilation. Thomas Sherman began attack on eastern edge of Port Hudson works about 2 pm. Attacks included Augur's troops plus his own. Confederates had more time to construct fortifications here and put more effort and firepower into them. One feature earthworks was dry moat and abatis or cut down trees before parapet. Union attackers carried axes, poles, planks, cotton bags and fascines to fill ditch. Rebel defense included battery containing two 24-pounder smoothbore canister throwers. Canister composed broken chains, segments railroad rails, other scrap iron. Colonel William R. Miles removed all rifles from hospital left by sick wounded. He equipped each soldier with three weapons, greatly increasing firepower. When Union infantry closed within 200 yards they met hail rifle and canister fire. Few made it within 70 yards Confederate lines. Union commanders Sherman and Dow wounded in attacks. Lieutenant Colonel James O'Brien commanding pioneer group killed. At 5 pm commander 159th New York raised white flag signal truce remove wounded dead. Fighting ended day. None Union attacks even reached Confederate parapets. Union suffered 293 KIA, 1,545 wounded, 157 MIA compared to Confederate casualties of 235.
The Second Attack And Siege Tactics
Successful defense brought renewed confidence to Gardner and garrison. They felt combination well planned defensive earthworks and skillful deliberate reinforcement repulsed superior numbers attackers. Learning from experience, Gardner organized more methodical system defense. This involved dividing fortifications into network defense zones with engineering officer charge strengthening defense each area. Most involved charting best crossfire for artillery positions, improving firepower concentrations, digging protective pits house artillery when not use protect from enemy bombardment. Spent bullets scrap metal sewed shirtsleeves make up canister casings artillery. Heavy coast guns facing river center pivot mounts cleared firing on Union positions eastern side fortress. Three guns equipped function, one columbiad Battery Four so effective Union troops referred Demoralizer. Its fearful reputation spawned myth mounted railroad car fire any position fortifications. Captain L. J. Girard placed charge function artillery achieved miracles keeping functional despite material shortages. Rifles captured enemy taken hospitalized soldiers stacked use trench lines. Positions front lines land mined unexploded 13-inch mortar shells known torpedoes time. Sniper positions prepared high points trench works sharpshooters. Methods improved defense but could not compensate fact garrison short everything except gunpowder. Food shortage drag morale resulted significant level desertion enemy. Colonel Steedman wrote most serious annoying difficulty unreliable character portion Louisiana troops. Many deserted enemy giving information real condition yet same regiments ablest officers men. Miles' Louisiana Legion considered greatest offenders. On Union side astonishment chagrin near universal reaction decisive defeat infantry assaults. Banks determined continue siege political military career destroyed withdrawal Baton Rouge. Resources entire command called play men material poured Union encirclement. Nine additional regiments appeared lines June 1. 89 field guns brought action naval guns USS Richmond added siege guns bearing fortress. Six naval guns 9-inch Dahlgren smoothbores originally intended battery Head Passes Mississippi Delta. Four finally emplaced Battery Number 10 east Fort Desperate two Number 24 gives idea reach progress Union Navy. Each Dahlgren gun weighed 9,020 pounds 9 feet long capable firing 73.5 pound exploding shell. Second assault began sustained shelling Confederate works beginning 11:15 am the 13th of June 1863 lasting hour. Banks sent message Gardner demanding surrender position. Gardner replied duty requires defend position decline surrender. Banks continued bombardment night gave order simultaneous three-prong infantry attack 1 am the 14th of June. Attack finally began 3:30 am lack agreed plan heavy fog disordered attack began. Grover's column struck Confederate line Fort Desperate before others formidable terrain combined enhanced Confederate defense stopped attacks outside rebel works. Auger demonstration center arrived main attack failed attack southern end line made daylight stood little chance result. Infantry attack resulted even more dead wounded soldiers: 1,792 Union casualties against 47 Confederate. Division commander Brigadier General Halbert E. Paine led main attack fell wounded losing leg. Actions Port Hudson reduced bombardment siege shortly after war.
Hardships And Surrender
Day last infantry assault General Banks assembled troops corps headquarters thanked previous efforts sacrifices. Asked volunteers special attack group trained intensively breach Confederate trench line. Speech generated little enthusiasm unit 1036 men formed removed training camp rear prepare attack. There assembled siege ladders organized two battalions commanded Lieutenant Colonel John B. Van Petten Lieutenant Colonel A. S. Bickmore. Colonel Henry Warner Birge 13th Connecticut Infantry volunteered lead special assault regiment. Regular siege operations reorganized under command new chief engineer Captain John C. Palfrey. Concentrated efforts siege three areas fortifications Fort Desperate Priest Cap Confederate batteries 14 15 Citadel southernmost bastion fortifications nicknamed Devil's Elbow. Efforts did not involve infantry rushing trenches but siege technique called sapping constructing series zigzag trenches fortified batteries sharpshooter positions intended isolate suppress individual defensive bastions. Sharpshooter sniper positions described time trench cavaliers raised mounds earth reinforced timbers other materials allow riflemen overlook enemy trenches fire down them. Citadel reduced powerful siege battery constructed hill just south Union battery number 24 intended suppress Confederate position superior firepower. Union batteries also constructed west bank Mississippi opposite Port Hudson completely surrounding with Union artillery batteries. Forces made raids opposing trenches batteries enhance own lines disable enemy batteries. Some 6th Michigan Infantry Regiment troops opposite Citadel armed .54 caliber breech-loading Merrill carbine gave rapid fire edge trench raids. June 26 general bombardment Union batteries guns Union fleet began disabling suppressing remaining Confederate artillery. Federals constructed three mines underneath opposing works two directed Priest Cap one under Citadel. Chambers end mines loaded powder exploded under Confederate works destroying blowing gaps trench lines. Point infantry assault launched hopefully overrunning entire fortification. Confederates responded siege techniques increased efforts own grist mill Fort Desperate destroyed shelling replaced using locomotive defunct railroad power millstones providing steady supply cornmeal garrison. Expended rifle artillery shells salvaged reuse small arms shot recast making new cartridges artillery rounds reused distributed Confederate artillery same caliber reused mines grenades. Additional trench lines obstacles mines bunkers added threatened bastions making difficult bombard infiltrate overrun. Priest Cap bastion particularly elaborate defense system including telegraph wire staked height trip attacking infantry. Additional field artillery infantry added defense Fort Desperate making sapping area more costly. Various raids against Union saps conducted. June 26 Confederates launched trench raid 16th Arkansas Infantry Priest Cap sap taking seven prisoners capturing weapons supplies. Rebel trench raiders defenders adept constructing using improvised hand grenades. Raids Logan's cavalry made Union positions outside siege lines. June 3 advance Grierson's Union cavalry Logan's position Clinton repulsed. 14th New York Cavalry hit June 15 near Newport two miles Port Hudson. Other raids struck Union foraging parties returning Jackson Louisiana captured Union General Neal Dow convalescing Heath plantation. Biggest raid set fire Union supply center Springfield Landing July 2. These raids annoying Banks could not break siege. July 3 countermine exploded near one Federal mines under Priests Cap collapsed mine surprisingly cause any Union casualties. Defenders compensate constant losses personnel resulting starvation disease particularly scurvy dysentery malaria sniping shell fragments sunstroke desertion. Use mule meat rats rations maintain health soldiers left standing further drain morale. By early July Confederates much worse shape exhausted practically all food supplies ammunition fighting disease greatly reduced number men able defend trenches. When Major General Gardner learned Vicksburg surrendered the 4th of July 1863 realized situation hopeless nothing gained continuing. Terms surrender negotiated the 9th of July 1863 Confederates laid down weapons ending 48 days continuous fighting longest siege US military history.
Legacy And Battlefield Preservation
Surrender Port Hudson Vicksburg gave Union complete control Mississippi River major tributaries severing communications trade eastern western states Confederacy. Both sides suffered heavy casualties: between 4,700 and 5,200 Union men were casualties additional 4,000 fell prey disease sunstroke. Gardner's forces suffered around 900 casualties battle losses disease. Banks granted lenient terms Port Hudson garrison enlisted men paroled homes transport sick lightly wounded. Seriously sick wounded placed Union medical care. 5,935 men civilian employees Confederate Army officially paroled. 405 officers not paroled sent prisoners Memphis New Orleans half eventually winding Johnson's Island prison camp Ohio. Since terms parole agreement conditions acceptable Union Confederate armies then current Confederate Army furloughed returned troops until the 15th of September 1863 then returned duty. This outraged some leaders Union army but General Halleck charge US armies admitted paroles error. Reputation black soldiers Union service enhanced siege. Advance Louisiana Guard May 27 gained much coverage northern newspapers. Attack repulsed due hasty implementation bravely carried out despite hopeless magnitude opposing conditions. Performance noted army leadership. Captain Robert F. Wilkinson wrote home one glad say black troops P. Hudson fought acted superbly theory negro inefficiency thoroughly exploded facts. We shall shortly have splendid army thousands them. General Banks noted performance official report severe test subjected determined manner encountered enemy leaves mind doubt ultimate success. Reports had impact far from Louisiana Union army. the 11th of June 1863 editorial influential widely read New York Times stated comparatively raw troops yet subjected awful ordeal men white black flinch will flinch nothing no longer possible doubt bravery steadiness colored race rightly led. Observations supported abolitionist efforts northeast recruit free blacks Union armed services. By end war nearly 200,000 blacks served Union forces. Significant result siege blow gave Banks political ambitions. If Banks overrun position May could taken command Grant's siege Vicksburg ranking officer appeared hero. Would redeemed military reputation bolstered political hopes presidential candidacy. Since Vicksburg fell before Port Hudson Grant reaped promotions reputation victory west eventually attained White House Banks cherished ambition. As it was Banks settled setting cotton deals northeast constituency arrange political alliances new state government aligned Union Republican interests mind. Experienced kind scheming absence military opportunities economic advantages beckoned. Banks armies gathered $3 million worth livestock supplies engaged operations western Louisiana spring 1863. Bounty impressed Banks estimated vast stores cotton many Union sympathizers waiting Red River eastern Texas. Response Banks produced one third holding plan idea re-opening trade Europe diverting one third proceeds Federal Treasury. Economic bonanza once again revive political prospects justify beginning Red River Campaign military expedition eastern Texas next step military operations Louisiana. After war small number former soldiers awarded Medal Honor actions Port Hudson including George Mason Lovering 4th Massachusetts future Wyoming Governor Francis E. Warren 49th Massachusetts. American Battlefield Trust partners acquired preserved 259 acres Port Hudson Battlefield. Port Hudson State Historic Site steep riverside terraces original artillery emplacements museum displays maps.
When did the Siege of Port Hudson end and how long did it last?
The Siege of Port Hudson ended on the 9th of July 1863 after lasting 48 days. This duration represents the longest siege in United States military history.
Who commanded Confederate forces during the defense of Port Hudson?
Major General John C. Breckinridge initially planned fortifications before leaving on the 18th of August 1862. Major General Gardner led the garrison until surrendering on the 9th of July 1863.
What date did Union forces capture New Orleans during the Mississippi River campaign?
A fleet commanded by Flag Officer David G. Farragut captured New Orleans in May 1862. This victory occurred after fighting through Confederate fortifications at Forts Jackson and St. Philip.
How many men surrendered at Port Hudson when the Confederates laid down weapons?
5,935 men and civilian employees from the Confederate Army were officially paroled following the surrender. Additionally, 405 officers who were not paroled were sent to prison camps including Johnson's Island in Ohio.
Why was controlling the Mississippi River critical for both sides in the Civil War?
The South needed the river to transport supplies like salt cattle and horses from the Trans-Mississippi West. The North aimed to stop this supply route and drive a wedge that would divide Confederate states and territories.